title: Could genetic polymorphisms related to oxidative stress modulate effects of heavy metals for risk of human preterm birth?
abstract: Human preterm birth (PTB) is a complex medical outcome influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Research on the causative factors of PTB has mostly focused on demographic, socio-behavioral and environmental risk factors. Recent studies turn the spotlight on the effects of heavy metals exposure on adverse pregnancy outcomes. Here we present and evaluate the hypothesis that heavy metals may cause PTB through oxidative stress, and that this effect may be modified by polymorphisms in genes related to oxidative stress. Indeed, accumulating data suggest that the risk of PTB is correlated with polymorphisms in genes involved in detoxification, oxidative stress and lipid metabolism. These and other polymorphisms have independently been associated with susceptibility to the adverse effects of heavy metals.
authors.affiliation: Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, United States. Electronic address: bshachar@stanford.edu.
authors.forename: Bat Zion
authors.initials: BZ
authors.lastname: Shachar
authors.forename: Suzan L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Carmichael
authors.forename: David K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Stevenson
authors.forename: Gary M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Shaw
mesh_terms: D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000633:toxicity*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D019216:Metals, Heavy
keywords: Genetic polymorphisms; Heavy metals; Oxidative stress; Preterm birth